A Dangerous Man Read Online Free

question after question, but I
was so high in the altitudes . . "
    "I assure you, it was no dream. And you can be certain that
leech knew exactly what to do with the information."
    "What do you mean?"
    "I mean, I had to sell my soul to guarantee his silence."
Richard topped off his glass and raised it in a mocking toast.
"You may wish me happy, brother. I'm to wed the miller's
daughter"
    Geoffrey's eyes widened. "You cannot be serious?"
    "What would you have me do? Allow him to announce to
all and sundry every sordid detail of our family history? I
swear to Christ, if it were only you, I would have let you rot
in gaol."
    "I am sorry," Geoffrey said. "So sorry."
    "Sorry is too little too late," Richard snapped. Trying to
rein in his temper, he rubbed the aching muscles at the back
of his neck. A sudden weariness throbbed through his bones.
"I did not even realize you knew ... how did you learn the
truth?"
    Geoffrey stared at him through haunted eyes. "You forget.
I lived with them. Rachel flaunted that news before Eric
every chance she could. She did not care if I was in the room
or not. I do not understand, if she hated him, why did she
marry him?"
    Richard snorted. "For the title, of course"
    "She made his life miserable. I swear she drove him to his
death"
    "No doubt you are right," Richard said, gripping his glass.
He stared into the golden liquor, mind closed to the memories and betrayals that had led to disaster. His skin was cold,
despite the languid heat of the whisky in his belly. "Why did you go to that hell? Why not go to one of your clubs with
your friends?"

    Geoffrey did not respond. His face was the same bleak
gray as the marble monument marking their eldest brother's
grave. The ticking of the mantel clock was the only sound in
the room.
    Richard strode to the window.
    The sun was just now casting its last feeble rays before
sinking into darkness. He did not know what to do anymore.
He only knew Geoffrey was chasing disaster and seemed
determined on taking the family down with him.
    An unbearable thickening at the base of his throat threatened to choke him. He had already lost one brother.
    He had no intention of losing another.
    "Come here, Geoffrey. Tell me, what do you see?"
    His eyes rolled heavenward, but he hobbled to the window.
"Torches. Servants. A summerhouse. Roses"
    "Yes, and inside that summerhouse is a young girl who
needs not only your discretion, but, more importantly, your
protection" Richard met his brother's gaze. "If you cannot
mend your ways for yourself, think of Alison. Think of me.
And remember this warning. If you ever endanger her wellbeing again, by word or by deed, I will kill you myself."
    Geoffrey pressed the heels of his hands to his eyes as he
nodded. His chest heaved, once, twice. "I swear to you,
Richard. I mean to change my ways."
    Richard could only hope this was true, but he had heard the
words too many times before. Still, his brother had the shattered appearance of a man reaching the bottom of his own
private hell, only to realize he'd destroyed everyone he loved
on his journey down the cliff.
    Perhaps this time, there was hope.
    Geoffrey drew a strangled breath. "So, when do you get
yourself buckled?"
    "As soon as possible. I want to silence that bastard." Richard thought for a moment. "Rachel is hosting a ball two
days hence."

    "Yes. One year to the day of Eric's death"
    "Not too eager to shed her black gloves, is she?" Richard
murmured. He sipped his whisky. "I believe I shall procure a
special license and do the deed that afternoon, then present
my wife to the ton at Rachel's soiree."
    He smiled, for the first time finding the slightest bit of
humor in this sordid situation. "It should provide ample entertainment. I must admit, I rather relish the thought"
    Geoffrey laughed. "It is perfect. Will you inform Rachel of
your plans?"
    "No" Richard stared at his reflection in the window.
    "That could be dangerous for your new bride.